Olfactory mat for domestic animals

ABSTRACT

A washable, reusable mat that serves as a stimulation device for animals, the mat having a base with a pile thereon, the pile being formed from a plurality of fingers which are arranged to form a structure with a plurality of spaces. Food or treats for the animal (e.g., a dog), are placed on the mat, and the food or treats fall among the fingers and are captured within the spaces formed in the pile by the fingers. The animal locates the food or treats by employing the animal&#39;s olfactory senses, such as smell and taste, to locate the food within the mat pile. The animal may use its nose (or paws) to gain access to the captured food by tunneling among the fingers, moving the fingers aside, or other action to access the hidden food.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/383,964, filed Dec. 19, 2016, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/366,974, filed Jul. 26, 2016,the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices for animals, and in particular, devicesfor animals that are designed to stimulate the animal's senses, and, inparticular, the olfactory senses. The devices provide a way for ananimal, such as a dog, to engage in activity by where the animal usesits senses to locate and obtain food or treats that are located withinthe device.

BACKGROUND

Non-domestic animals typically spend most of their time foraging forfood. In contrast, pets engage in eating, which usually does not demandmuch time, and as a result, eating becomes an activity that provideslittle stimulation for the animal. Stimulation of animals kept as petsin the home, or in shelters or other controlled environments, has beenattempted to reduce boredom and undesirable behavior that may result asa consequence of the animal needing to be active. A number of toys areproduced and sold which are intended to occupy the animal by providingan activity that will engage the animal. Some toys have sound, clicking,lights or other responsive components. A number of different sizes andshapes of toys are available. There are also products which have beendesigned to require engagement of the animal in order to obtain food.These products typically are referred to as enrichment products.Enrichment products typically encompass the categories of manipulationand mealtime. A typical enrichment device captivates food and limits itsdistribution to the animal by requiring the animal to perform one ormore tasks. The enrichment devices often take time to fill, requiringthe owner or handler to insert food into small spaces or into multiplecompartments. One example of an enrichment product involves a ballfilled with food that is placed into a tube. The animal must reach intothe tube and move the ball to release food from an opening in the ball.The ball remains captive in the tube and may be removed and refilled asneeded by a caretaker of the animal. Refilling the device requires thatthe ball be unsecured, removed from the device tube, refilled, placedback into the tube, and then finally re-secured within the tube. Anotherexample of an enrichment device is a bowl having protrusions, such asposts or grooves provided in the bottom surface. The food is placed intothe bowl and occupies the grooves, or, in the case of an obstruction,such as a post, fills in around the post. The pet must move the foodaround the obstruction or post in order for the food to be accessible tothe pet for consumption. In the case of the grooved device, grooves areformed which lead to spaces or terminations in which the food may poolor pile up for ease of access, so that the animal is encouraged to movethe food along the groove to a location at which the animal may pick upthe food.

Other stimulations include stimulation of the olfactory senses, which,for canines, involves the senses of smell and taste. For example,snuffling is the act of breathing noisily through the nose, which may bedue to something such as a cold or crying. However, in terms of animals,snuffling is described as the making of repeated sniffing sounds asthough smelling at something. There is a snuffle mat which is a mat witha rubber backing to which strips of felt are tied. Food or treats areinserted between fleece strips. The pet is provided with the mat anduses its nose and sense of smell to locate the food. Upon locating thefood, the pet may consume the food or treat located, and, if there isfood or treats remaining, it may continue the process to locate otheritems of food or treats.

A need exists for an improved product that will provide engagement ofthe animal, such as a dog, with activity that stimulates the olfactorysenses, that may be used to distribute food and treats, and which may becleaned and reused.

As mentioned, animals when not engaged will often become bored. Domesticanimals are typically kept in an environment which is the same day inand day out. Although dogs may be taken for a walk, a dog in the home,even if taken for an hour walk per day, may not have the stimulationthat it needs. In addition, a number of dogs, such as for example,police service dogs and dogs kept in shelters, are often confined tocages for extended periods of time. These animals become bored, andoften there is little or no stimulation for the animal. When animals areyoung, particularly dogs at the puppy stage, they typically will occupythemselves with a variety of activities, some of which may bedestructive to the environment around them. The young canine may chew onfurniture, rip pillows, or damage shoes and other household articles.Aside from the damage done to the articles, this behavior also may behazardous to the pet. When the pet is occupied with another activity,such as eating or playing with an appropriate toy, then the pet is lesslikely to engage in destruction or harmful conduct. In addition, dogsthat may be confined to a cage or other area also may benefit fromengaging in a stimulating activity.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A stimulation device is provided which is designed to stimulate theolfactory senses of an animal, such as, for example, a dog. According topreferred embodiments, the stimulation device is configured in the formof a mat which entraps a consumable material therein, such as, foodand/or treats for the animal, and engages the animal to rely onolfactory senses to locate the hidden food or treats. The device isdesigned to reduce the potential for boredom, and provides an activityoutlet for the animal.

According to preferred embodiments, the stimulation device is configuredas a mat having a pile. The pile may be made up of a plurality offingers that are secured to the base. The base and the pile thereonpreferably are constructed from a fiber based material, such as, forexample, a fabric fiber. Cotton is one example of a fiber that may beused to form the base and pile. Other examples include other fabrics,and preferably those that may be washed in a typical residential orcommercial washer, and may be air dried or placed in a dryer.

Preferred embodiments are configured to provide an upstanding orsubstantially upstanding pile configuration, which forms a number ofcapture spaces into which the food or treats for an animal may residewhen the food or treat is placed on the mat. The pile configuration andelements may be constructed to be rigid so that a number of cavities areformed, while at the same time, the pile elements are movable, so thatthe animal may rummage through the mat pile to locate food or treats.

The mat preferably is constructed from a material that is usable andholds up in the presence of moisture. For example, where the mat becomeswet, e.g., with fluids of the animal, such as, for example, saliva orother fluids, the pile constituency preferably remains secure andresistant to the moisture or other fluids. According to some preferredembodiments, the pile elements comprise fingers constructed from afabric. According to some embodiments, the fabric is a woven fabric, andaccording to some embodiments, the fingers are constructed from fabricthat is resilient and may be stretchable. For example, the stretchablefabric may provide the fingers with the ability to stretch in the eventthat the fingers are inadvertently attempted to be withdrawn with anitem of food or a treat, or while the animal is locating or extractingthe food from the mat. Embodiments of the mat may include fingers formedfrom a woven fabric that is stretchable and resilient, so that it may bestretched and returned to its unstretched condition (e.g., once theanimal is no longer exerting a force on the fingers).

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stimulation device according to theinvention, configured as a mat.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the mat of FIG. 1, taken along the sectionline 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the met.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the mat.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view thereof.

FIG. 9A is an exemplary embodiment of a finger used to form the pile.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the finger of 9A shown from analternate position.

FIG. 10A is an alternate embodiment of another finger.

FIG. 10B is an alternate embodiment of a mat with the fingers of FIG.10A (with only a portion of the fingers shown on a portion of the mat).

FIG. 11 is perspective view of the mat of FIG. 1, shown in part, andwith a dog engaged in extracting food from the mat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entirewritten description. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,”“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,“horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed torefer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawingunder discussion. These relative terms are for convenience ofdescription only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed oroperated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated assuch. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,”“interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structuresare secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectlythrough intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigidattachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated byreference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodimentsillustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that mayexist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of theinvention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9B and 11, an exemplary embodiment of astimulation mat 110 for an animal is illustrated. The mat 110 is shownhaving a base 112 with a pile surface 111. The pile surface 111 isformed from a plurality of elements 113 which are arranged on the base112. According to a preferred embodiment, the elements 113 comprisefingers that preferably extend away from the base 112, and preferablyupward from the base 112.

According to a preferred embodiment, the base 112 is constructed from afabric material, and has a bottom surface 112 a and top surface 112 b.In the arrangement illustrated, the fingers 113 are attached to the base112. According to a preferred embodiment, the fingers 113 are attachedto the top surface 112 b of the base 112. In the illustration of theexemplary embodiment of the mat 110, the bottom surface 112 a is shownas a substantially flat surface. According to some preferredembodiments, the base 112 preferably is constructed from a washablematerial, and may be constructed from a washable fabric.

According to some embodiments, the fingers 113 preferably are providedand arranged with a density to have a suitable weight to offer someresistance to the animal as it snuffles through the fingers 113 tolocate the captured food within the cavities. As illustrated in thesectional view of FIG. 2, a plurality of cavities 130 are formed in thearrangement of fingers 113. According to some preferred embodiments, thefingers 113 are provided to cover or substantially cover the base topsurface 112 b so that food or treats may be hidden within or among thefingers 113. Preferred embodiments may provide a suitable number offingers 113, which are sized and spaced to permit food or treats placedon the pile surface 111 of the mat 110 to work their way down into thepile (either when placed thereon, or with some agitation by anindividual, such as brushing a hand over the pile surface 111).

According to some embodiments, the fingers 113 may be stretchable. Thefingers 113 may be formed from an elastic material to provideelasticity, so the fingers 113 may be stretched (or when stretched),provide the ability to give, and when released, the fingers 113 mayretract and return to their unstretched condition. For example, where ananimal locates the food and attempts to retrieve the food from the mat110, and inadvertently attempts to do so along with one or more of thefingers 113, the fingers 113 may stretch and give so as to lessen theinitial force from the pulling, as well as potentially to indicate tothe animal that there is resistance (e.g., of the finger but not thefood or treat). The animal may therefore retrieve the food (or continueto retrieve the food) and lessen the force being applied to the fingers113. In other instances, the animal may retrieve the food without alsocapturing any of the fingers 113.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-9B and 11, the washable, reusable mat 110serves as a stimulation device for animals. The mat 110 base 112 has apile surface 111 which, according to the embodiment illustrated, isformed from a plurality of fingers 113 that are arranged to form aplurality of spaces (see e.g., the spaces 130, FIG. 2) within the pile111. The fingers 113 preferably form the structure of the pile 111. Foodor treats for the animal (e.g., a dog), are placed on the mat 110 (seeFIG. 2), and the food or treats fall among the fingers 113 and arecaptured within the spaces 130 (FIG. 2) formed in the pile 111 by thefingers 113. The animal locates the food or treats by employing theanimal's olfactory senses, such as smell and taste, to locate the foodwithin the mat pile 111. The animal may use its body, such as its nose(or paws), to gain access to the captured food by tunneling among thefingers 113, moving the fingers 113 aside, or undertaking some otheraction to expose or access the hidden food.

A finger 113 may be formed from a sheet which may be layered, folded orotherwise secured onto itself, to provide suitable rigidity for the pilesurface 111. According to one embodiment, the fingers 113 comprisestructures, such as the finger 113′ (separately shown in FIGS. 9A and9B) and may have a first end 113 a′ and a second end 113 b′ (see FIG.9A). According to one preferred arrangement, the fingers 113 are securedto the base 112 at a location between the first end 113 a′ and thesecond end 113 b′. The finger arrangement illustrated in conjunctionwith the mat 110 secures the fingers 113, by taking the finger 113′ andattaching it at its central location 113 c′ to the base 112. Accordingto a preferred embodiment, the finger 113′ preferably may be attached tothe base upper surface 112 b (FIGS. 1 and 2). The finger 113′, whenattached to the base 112 provides a first finger 113 formed from thefirst end 113 a′ that extends from the base 111 and a second finger 113that is formed from the second end 113 b′ that extends from the base112. According to this exemplary embodiment, the finger 113′ thereforeforms two fingers 113 of the pile 111 when attached to the base 112. Inthe exemplary embodiment illustrated, a plurality of fingers 113′ areattached to the base 112 to form the mat fingers 113 that comprise thepile 111.

As illustrated in the figures, the fingers 113 interfere with each otherand may engage each other to form a plurality of finger ends, and toprovide capturing spaces 130 (see FIG. 2) between the fingers 113 andthe base 112, or between other fingers 113. Consumable items, such asthe animal's food or treats 200 are captured between the fingers 113,and preferably within spaces, such as, for example, the spaces 130depicted in FIG. 2, such as the spaces in the pile 111 formed betweenthe fingers 113, and/or spaces formed between the fingers 113 and thebase 111.

The fingers 113 preferably are configured to be substantially raised inrelation to the base 111. The base 111 illustrated in the exemplaryembodiment is depicted comprising a flat base, from which the fingers113 are angled or upwardly raised from the base 111. The fingers 113preferably are configured with some rigidity to form the pile 111 andprovide a plurality of spaces therebetween for the food or treats notonly to reside in the cavities 130, but also to facilitate the passingof the food or treats through and among the fingers 113 and to pass intothe cavities 130. The density of the fingers 113 forming the pile 111preferably are arranged so that one or more fingers 113 may supportother fingers 113.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fingers 113 are configuredhaving a spindle shape. As illustrated in the figures, according topreferred embodiments, the fingers 113 may be constructed having a wallthat has a cylindrical or cylindrical-like configuration. For example,the fingers 113 may be configured by providing a rolled structure. Forexample, the fingers 113 may be configured having walls that are free ofexternal edges. In the exemplary depiction in FIGS. 9A and 9B, thefinger 113′ is shown having inturned edges 113 d, 113 e. The finger 113is shown having a first portion 113 f and second portion 113 g, whichspan the length of the finger 113′. In the exemplary embodimentillustrated, the first finger portion 113 f comprises a first rolledportion of the finger material, and the second finger portion 113 gcomprises a second rolled portion of the finger material. In theembodiment illustrated, for example, the finger portions 113 f, 113 gmay be formed at opposite sides of the finger 113′ (e.g., see thearranged fingers shown attached as part of the mat 110). According tosome embodiments, the fingers 113 may comprise substantially cylindricalelements, and may have at least an arcuate portion. The fingers 113 maybe formed from a rolled sheet of material, and the rolled sheet ofmaterial may be rolled at at least one end thereof, and according tosome embodiments, may be rolled at each end thereof (see FIGS. 9A and9B).

Various materials may be used to form the mat base 112 and fingers 113.Any suitable material may be used to form the base 112 and fingers 113.The mat 110, including the fingers 113 and base 112, preferably isformed from a washable material. The fingers 113 and base 112 may beformed from the same material or from different materials. For example,the base 112 may comprise a fabric and the pile 111 formed by thefingers 113 also may be constructed from fabric.

According to some preferred embodiments, the fingers 113 may be providedto extend at a substantially similar distance from said base. Forexample, as discussed, the fingers 113 may be attached to the base 112at a finger midpoint (see e.g., the midpoint 113 c of FIG. 9A) toprovide two equal finger length portions (e.g., from the finger 113′,FIGS. 9A and 9B). According to some embodiments, the fingers 113 may beattached to the base 112 in rows. Preferably, the fingers 113 arearranged in a spaced relationship to provide coverage over the mat 110or base surface 112 b. The finger midpoints may be arranged adjacentlyon the base 112 and secured to the base 112. For example, the midpointsof adjacently arranged fingers 113 may be secured to the base 112 byconnecting the adjacently arranged row of fingers 113 at theirrespective midpoints with a row of a fastening element, which may bethreads (stitching), adhesive, or other suitable attachment means ormaterial. The fingers 113 may be contiguous at their respectiveattachment locations on the base 112, or may be non-contiguous at theattachment locations, or combinations of these.

According to some preferred embodiments, the fingers 113 are configuredso that in the case where the fingers 113 are disrupted by the animalseeking to locate a consumable item within the mat 110, the fingers 113may be moved (e.g., moved aside). Preferably, the fingers 113 do notdeform or collapse onto themselves.

An alternate embodiment of a finger 213 is illustrated in FIGS. 10A and10B, and shows a generally columnar configuration. FIG. 10B shows apartial view of a section of a mat 210 with fingers 213 shown. The mat210 is shown for exemplary purposes and more fingers 213 preferablywould be provided on the base 212. The finger 213 may be a solidstructure, and may be connected with, or formed with a supporting base212 (e.g., as a unitary structure), and may be washable, includingplacement in a dishwasher. The alternative embodiment finger 213 andbase structure 212 may be made from suitable material.

These and other advantages may be obtained through the use of theinventive apparatus and methods disclosed herein. While the inventionhas been described with reference to specific embodiments, thedescription is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting thescope of the invention. For example, although the mats 110, 210 andbases 112, 212 are depicted as a substantially rectangular structure (orcorner in the case of mat 210), the mats according to the invention maybe provided having a variety of shapes, such as, for example, a dogbone, circle, square, or other desired shape. The mats 110, 210preferably are constructed from materials or components that providesafety for the animal, should the animal decide to overturn or raise themat into the air. In addition, according to some embodiments, the pileor fingers may be constructed to facilitate washing and cleaning bylimiting closed spaces of the finger, so that trapped debris may beextracted or expunged. Various modifications and changes may occur tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention described herein and as set forth in the appended claims.

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural andfunctional modifications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventionshould be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mat for feeding an animal comprising: a basestructure having a top surface; a plurality of strips attached to thetop surface of the base structure, each of the strips having a columnarshape; and wherein the strips are attached to the base structure in aplurality of spaced apart rows.
 2. The mat according to claim 1 whereineach of the strips is formed from a first fabric material.
 3. The mataccording to claim 2 wherein the base structure is formed from a secondfabric material that is a different material than the first fabricmaterial.
 4. The mat according to claim 2 wherein each of the stripscomprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the fabric material isresilient and stretchable such that upon pulling on one of the stripsalong the longitudinal axis in a direction away from the base structurethe one of the strips will stretch and upon release of the one of thestrips the one of the strips will return to its unstretched condition.5. The mat according to claim 1 wherein each of the strips has acylindrical shape.
 6. The mat according to claim 1 wherein each of thestrips comprises a solid structure.
 7. The mat according to claim 1wherein the plurality of strips comprises a plurality of peripheralstrips positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of the base structure,each of the plurality of peripheral strips arranged so as to protrudebeyond the peripheral edge of the base structure.
 8. The mat accordingto claim 1 wherein the strips protrude from the front surface of the matat a plurality of different angles.
 9. The mat of claim 1 wherein thestrips are arranged and oriented to entirely cover the top surface ofthe base so that no portion of the top surface of the base is visiblewithout distorting the strips.
 10. A mat for feeding an animalcomprising: a base structure having a top surface; a plurality of stripsattached to the top surface of the base structure and arranged in aplurality of rows; and wherein in at least one of the plurality of rows,the strips are positioned in an end-to-end manner such that adjacentstrips in the one of the plurality of rows are contiguous withoutoverlapping.
 11. The mat according to claim 10 wherein for each of theplurality of rows, the strips are positioned in an end-to-end mannersuch that adjacent strips in each of the plurality of rows do notoverlap.
 12. The mat according to claim 10 wherein each of the stripscomprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extendingfrom the first end to the second end, and wherein the plurality ofstrips within each row is coupled to the base structure with a row ofstitching, the row of stitching intersecting each of the strips in therow at a location between the first and second ends of the strips. 13.The mat according to claim 12 wherein each of the strips has a firstportion on a first side of the row of stitching and a second portion ona second side of the row of stitching, the first and second portions ofthe strips separately protruding from the top surface of the basestructure.
 14. The mat according to claim 10 wherein each of the stripscomprises a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending fromthe first end to the second end, a first side edge extending from thefirst end to the second end, and a second side edge extending from thefirst end to the second end, and wherein the strips are arranged in therows such that the first and second side edges of adjacent strips arecontiguous.
 15. The mat according to claim 10 wherein the plurality ofstrips comprises a plurality of peripheral strips positioned adjacent toa peripheral edge of the base structure, each of the plurality ofperipheral strips protruding beyond the peripheral edge of the basestructure.
 16. A mat for feeding an animal comprising: a base structurehaving a top surface; a plurality of strips rolled into a rolledconfiguration and arranged in a plurality of rows along the top surfaceof the base structure; and a row of stitching attaching each of theplurality of rows of the plurality of strips to the base structure whilethe plurality of strips are in the rolled configuration.
 17. The mataccording to claim 16 wherein each of the strips is independentlyattached to the top surface of the base structure at a connectionlocation of the strip so that first and second elongated portions of thestrip on opposite sides of the connection location both extend from thetop surface of the base structure.
 18. The mat according to claim 16wherein each of the strips comprises a first end, a second end, and alongitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, andwherein each of the rows of stitching intersects each of the strips inthe row at a location between the first and second ends of the strips.19. The method according to claim 18 wherein each of the rows ofstitching intersects each of the strips in the row at a midpoint locatedequidistantly from the first and second ends of the strips.
 20. The matof claim 16 wherein the plurality of strips are arranged and oriented toentirely cover the top surface of the base structure so that no portionof the top surface of the base is visible without distorting the strips.